Scams are becoming more sophisticated, faster and more convincing, making an action plan essential. Knowing how to respond to suspicious messages, calls or offers in advance reduces the risk of making a rushed decision.
An action plan removes the pressure scammers rely on. Instead of reacting to urgent threats or “too good to be true” promises, consumers can follow clear steps: pause, verify and seek a second opinion. That brief pause can help prevent financial loss.
A strong scam-prevention plan includes three steps to help identify red flags quickly. Unexpected requests for personal information, demands for immediate payment or instructions to keep a situation secret are common warning signs. When these occur, the plan should prompt you to stop engaging and report the attempt. Write the steps down and keep them in a visible place, such as on a refrigerator.
Step one: Identify the signs of a scam. Scammers often claim there is a problem. They may say you owe money to the government or pose as a bank representative warning that your account has been compromised. They create urgency to limit time for careful thinking and often demand payment through gift cards, wire transfers, cryptocurrency or payment apps. Money sent using these methods is difficult to recover.
Step two: Pause if you feel pressured. Talk with someone you trust before taking action. Create a short contact list of people you know personally, such as family members, friends or neighbors, and let them know you may contact them if you suspect a scam.
Step three: Keep verified contact information available. Maintain a list of phone numbers for companies you regularly do business with, including banks, credit card issuers, utilities and online retailers. Use only contact information from reliable sources, such as account statements, official websites, receipts or the back of your cards. This ensures you can reach a legitimate company if you are concerned about your account.
An action plan also builds confidence. Protecting yourself does not require technical expertise, only preparation. Knowing whom to contact, how to verify information and when to disengage reduces the risk of financial and emotional harm.
As scams continue to evolve, preparation remains one of the most effective forms of protection. You can find an easy-to-use Action Plan worksheet on the Federal Trade Commission’s Consumer website at consumer.gov/scams-identity-theft. They also offer many resources on how to protect yourself and others from scams and identity theft.